Ozone generator



Sept. 7, 1943.

J. C. GAGE OZONE GENERATOR Filed OO.. 16, 1941 lNVENTOR JOHN C. GAGE ATTO R N EY Patented Sept. 7, .i943

NETE@ STATES vPiNI'ENT O 2,328,640 e ozoNE GENERATOR `ohn C. Gage, Kansas City,1Mo. apprieetien october 1s. 1941, serial No. 415,301".

iz claims. (ci, zoll- 313) y My invention relates to ozone generators, and more particularly to an ozone generatorof the type in'which tubes lled with gases that become incandescent upon passing a high voltage current therethrough are utilized for producing the OZDIlE.

In an ozone generator of the above mentioned character it is desirable to have thegas filled tubes exposed so that when the ozone is used for the therapeutic value that it has, the radiation of energy from the tubes and the colorof the light emanating therefrom can be utilized' to add to the therapeutic effect of the apparatus. The tubes can accordingly be filled with gases that will produce the desired. colors, and while-gases are utilized in one set of tubes that produce a reddish light, or illumination, within the tubes of that set, and the other set of tubes is lled with gases that produce a bluish light, or illumination, thereof, these are only the predominant colors produced by the light from the tubes, and the other primary colors are also present in the light emanating from the tubes.

In apparatus of the above mentioned character, much dificulty has been experienced in preventing shock to the persons using the apparatus, as, if the apparatus is mounted on metallic supporting means, or in a metallic container, or a container, or a support, having any metal surfaces thereon of any appreciable area, ythe induced charge built up on this metal will cause shock to anyone touching the same, unless the metal is all grounded. It is frequentlyvery difcult to ground these containers, or mountings, for the apparatus, because of the fact that the apparatus is generally portable, and as a result, due to failure to provide a ground, frequent shocks have resulted from such apparatus of the general character as I employ, which negatived the desirable effect produced by the apparatus, and also made the use thereof so unpleasant as to discourage the use thereof by many potential users.

It is accordingly a purpose of my invention to provide an ozone producing apparatus of the above mentioned character that isso constructed and arranged as to produce a large quantity of ozone and to obtain the emanation of light and radiation of energy therefrom above referred to, and which at the same time is so constructed that there can be no shocking of the user of the apparatus due to contact with any of the parts thereof that are exposed. This is accomplished by providing a mounting for the tubes and a housing for the apparatus, generally, that is made of insulating material;V and preferably.;` of 'wood. It is a further purpose of myk invention toipro- `vide an apparatus of the above mentionedfcharacter with` a containerrfor-'certain lof the'felefcytrical apparatus utilizedk in conjunction' 'therewith. that isv` made iof.':wood, in such a manner short-circuits occur, and ,which is so constructed that the mterier 4thereof le readily accessible, should it, beg-necessary to-have access :fto th in terior thereof. Vv f l defined in the claims. i

Inthe drawing:

Fig. l isv atop plan viewof my ozone produo-,I n

ing generator withthe vcover removed,` a portion thereof being broken'away. l

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of my apparatus, vtaken nearv one endthereof, parts thereof being brokengaway. a v

Fig.,`3 is an enlarged'fragmentary. sectionalview through one o f the tube mountings,.and-y,`

Fig. 4 is a diagram of the electrical connections utilized with my apparatus. 1221.,

Referring in detente the drawing, my oxygen generating apparatus is vmounted on a supporting member having atop member I0, whichfi's,

preferably, of insulatingmaterial, such as wood. Said top member formsthetop of ,a containenfor certain velectrical apparatus, which has sidewalls and end walls that are similarlyzconstructed, said sidewalls and end Wallsgcomprisingv anrainner layer of ply wood Il, rthat is,.laminations ofwo'old' with vthe grain in one ply extending transversely of the grain in the adjacent ply, and anioter coveringof wood |2. The corners are bracedfbyv n means of blocks of wood'. i3, and to these corner bracing blocks the topgmemberl l0 is secured by fastening ,elements HL*y The lcontainer iszcompletecl by a bottom closure I5, which has the i-feet I6, of rubber or similar cushioning material,-pxo. vided thereon, which are secured to the remov-l able-v bottom member vI5 by means of screwthreaded headed fastening elements l'l, that'also secure the bottom plate-,member l5 in container closing position, the same engaging the corner blocks I3. l, c vThe izmer exposed surface ofthemembers l i5 and Il and also, preferably, of the co "er bracingblocks I3, are covered with an asbestos ilbrecoating I8, `which is secured by suitable adhesive to the inner exposed faces of the various members above referred to. i

Mounted on the top member l are supporting blocks I9 for the gas nlled tubes. Said supporting blocks are provided with recesses 20, thus providing a pair of upstanding ears 2| thereon that are provided with nat top faces with which the clamping bars 22, oi. insulating material, cooper- Iate, said clamping bars being secured in clamping position onthe supporting blocks I9 by means of screw-threaded members 23, which also serve to anchor the blocks I9 to the top member lil.

l lating thimbie 21,wh1eh is open et the upper end 2i!` thereof,l and which has a threaded portion 29 ensaglngtheathreaded member 25, and which has an end 50 that is closed except igor a restricted opening therein. Mounted within each ofthe insulating thimbles y21 is a coiled resilient con- *ductingmember II, the end of which is secured `between. the` head of a screw-threaded headed i member `3,2 and awasher 33 of conducting material. A, boss 34 of insulating material projects from the end wall 30 of th'e insulating thimble `and has ai washer of-conducting material 35 engaging the'end thereof, an end of a conductor 1B `being connected with the screw-threaded Vheaded member by means of a nut 31 and conducting washers 38" and 39 clamping the conductor 36 therebetween, another nut 40 serving to clamp the head of the screw-threaded headed .member 32 against the washer 33 with the coiled resilient conducting member 3| in engagement therewith.

Gas 'illled tubes are mounted in the insulating thimbles at one end thereof and said tubes are arranged in. two sets, one set oi. tubes extending from the insulating thimbles 21 adjacent one end -of the top member i0 and the other set of tubes extending from the insulating thimbles 21 adjacent the one end of the top member l0. Instead of all the tubes being filled with the same gas that serves as a'conductor when a high voltage cur-l rent is passed therethrough, the one set of tubes is, preferably. Provided with one mixture of such conductive'g'ases, and the other set of tubes with a different mixture of conductive gases, to thus produce an'illuminating eiIect from the oneset of tubes diierent'from that of the other set. Preferably, the gases are such that the combined effect of the light radiating from both sets of tubes contains all the primary colors.

One set 0i? tubes is indicated by the numeral 4| in the drawing,and the other set of tubes is designated bythe numeral 42 in the drawing.

ySaid tubesare arranged in alternating relation, `so that a tube4| will be adjacent a tube 42 along the major portion of the length thereof, and vice versa. Said tubes are each bent back upon themyselves so as to form a return bend'in each thereof, the return bends of the tubes 4| being designated by the numeral 43 and the return bends of the tubes 42 being designated by the numeral' 44. One end of each tube extends into an insulating vthimble 21 and one end of each tube is sealed `shut, said end terminating adjacent the return bend of thevnext adjacent tube, the sealed ends er the venous tubes beingindleatedby the numerel 4s. the pointed sealed portions u thereof' extending downwardly, as will be evident from Fig. 2. 'I'he tubes 4| areshown as entering the insulating members drawing, but it is obvious that the tubes 42 extend in a similar manner into the corresponding insu lating members at the opposite end of the device.

Referring to Fig. Buit will be seen that the gas filledjtube 4| has sealed within the end 41 thereof a .conducting member'` 44, which `-is electrically connected with a tubularlelectrode 48 within the tube 4|, and is connected with a conducting' cap' member 50 over theouter sealed 'end thereof, which contacts with areduced turn 5| at'the upper end of the coiled resilient conducting member 3|. 'I'he length of the depending portions 52 of the tubular members from the bends 53 therein is such that when the tubular members are clamped in position on thev top member I0 the resilient members Il will be compressed and thus a good contact willbe'made between the cond uctcr leading to the particular insulating thime 21, such as the `conductor 36,' and thelelectrode The tubular members are arranged inalternating entwined arrangement, such as is 'clear from Figsl, so1 thatvthere are long Yparallel of said tubes adjacent each other, butwithA the runs or lengths oi' the tubes of one set alternating with the runs or lengths of the tubes of V'the'other set, thesame being clamped in positionin close adiacency,but slightly spaced relation. bymeans of the clamping bars 22, suitable compressible material 54, which may be felt or rubber 'or similar material, of a non-conducting character, is

provided between the clamping bar 22 and the bottom of the recess 20- in each of the's'upporting blocks I9, to prevent any damage to ,etubes and to hold the same rmly against any bration or rattle. This is important; because the tendency would be, if the tubes 4were not so mounted, for the passage of the electric current through the gases contained therein and the=discharge between the tubes that is produced, which will be referred to below, to 'cause hum and noise. Mounted in a suitable recess in the top member l0 is a plug 55, the plug 55 being adaptedto have a corresponding plug member ofwell known'character engaged therewithtocomplete the circuit from a conducting cord to the apparatus. A switch -56 is also mounted on the topmember lo, preferably, having an insulating lease ufl secured to said top member. A cover 51 "ofwood having depending side membersv 58 is, preferably,

' provided to enclose the apparatus for transportaprovided for securing-the cover member to the' body portion of the device and any suitable handle member B0 isprovided for carrying the appa# ratus.`

The switch 56 is' indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 4, and conductors 6| and 62 extend from a. suitable alternating current supply to `.the primary 63 vof a transformez-,"the'switch 58gcon-V trolling the supply of current to Said transformer. The transformer is indica-ted generally'by the numeral 64 inFig; 2, being-located within the housing or container ofinsulating material for the apparatus, and being mounted therein in ,any desired manner, preferablyQfbeing secured in a preferred manner to the'undersldeoi'the top member l0. 'I'he transformer is'provided' with a secondary 66, having a `large numberfo'i' turn's as compared with the primary "so astostep 21in Figs. 2 and 3 of the f' .Y up the voltage or the ordinary house current supply lto, preferably, about 7,000 volts,.from which the secondary conductors 66 and 61. extend. -The conductor 66 extends to the electrode in one tubular member 4| and the conductor 36 extends from the conductor 66 to the electrode inthe other tubular member 4 I. In actual practice,- the con` ductor 36 is connected with both screw-threaded headed members 32 electrically, as will be obvious from Fig. 2, and the conductor 66 is only connected with one of said members to simplify the wiring. A conductor 68 similarly connects the headed screw-threaded conducting members 32 associated with the other pair of tubular members 42, and the conductor 61 extends from the opposite end of the winding 65 from the conductor 66 to the electrode in one of the tubular members 42, while the conductor 68 connects the conductor 61 with the electrode within the-other tubular member 42.

Due to the fact that one terminus of the secondary circuit of which the secondary Winding 65 forms a part is within .the tubular members 42, and the other terminus of said circuit is within the tubular members 4l, and in View of the high voltage in the secondary circuit and .the close proximity of the tubular members t-o each other and the conductivity of the gases within the tubular members, current will ow in the secondary circuit, the gases in .the tubular members acting similarly to the plates of a condenser, so that there is a discharge from one tubularmember 4l to the next adjacent tubular member 42 continuously as long asthe switch52 is closed and the gases within the tubular membersM and 42 are caused to become incandescent under the flow of alternating current of highvoltage therethrough. Due to the discharge betweenrt-he adjacent tubul-ar members, which are', of course, made of glass and are thus of insulating material and constitute a di-electric, the oxygen in the-air between these tubes is changed into ozone. Also due to a combination of a heating effect andthe change in the character of the gases around the tubes, there is an upward current of gasesv between the tubes', which causes new oxygen in lthe air to be constantly passed between the tubes through the zone in which .the electrical discharge is taking place.

However, in spite of the high voltage used and the charge built up on the glass tubes, there is n-o corresponding charge built up on the non-conducting clamping members 22, the supports i9', or the container for the apparatus, made entirely of insulating material, preferably, wood. Accordingly the tubes, as well as the other exposed parts of the apparatus, can be contacted. by the user thereof without any danger of shock therefrom, and the apparatus can be brought in as close proximity to the user as may be desired, to get any lof the desired effects from the ozone or radiated energy therefrom. as well as the desired eiect from the colored illumination produced 4by the tubes. Y y

What I claim is: y

1. An apparatus of the character described, comprising .a source of high voltage alternating current, a gas lled sealed tube of transparent non-conducting material having an electrode therein connected with one terminal of said source, a gas lled sealed tube of transparent non-conducting material having an electrode therein connected with the other terminalof said source, the gases in said tubes becoming incandescent upon passing a high voltage current current, a stationaryigas therethrough and the A ducing iight' of ia different color thanflthe ygasfin said'y secondtube upon-becoming incandescent and a. mounting for-'said tubes'comprisingfaa housing having stationary-*tube supporting -nie'ans thereon, said tubes-extending through said hous- .gg and having the electrical connections leading said housing, said tubeshaving the majorv po!"- tions thereof arranged in closely adiacentrelation inexposed position on the exterior ofsaid housingto provide an air space between saidtubs which `becomes chargedA with ozonathe exposed Vhousing and supporting-means portions of said A being of insulating material.4

2. An'appa'ratus of the character described,

comprising a source offhigh voltagealternating current,'a stationary electrode therein with oneterminal iilled sealed .tube of transparent` non-conducting material having an electrodei'lhereinv at one'kend -at one end thereof'con-necte'd thereof connected with the other terminal of said A source, and amounting for` said tubes comprising a housing having stationary,v tube supporting means onthe outer side of the top Wall thereof,

said tubesI havingthev ends .thereof providedwith -said electrodes extendinginto-said housingand .the electrical connections` leadingfto to provide anair space between'said tubes which' becomes chargedv with ozone, saidtubes projecting from the .top of said housing so that saidexposed portions thereof can be. contactedsbya,

body member the exposed portions off said `housing vand .supporting-means being of insulating material. .i fg f Li-9;

3. An apparatus ofthe characterr described, comprising a source of highv voltage alternating transparent lnon-conducting material yliavingdtn electrode-,therein at onel gasiilled 'sealed tube of transparent n on-.condtu'xt ing material having an electrode therein ,at ,one

lend thereof connected with .the other .terminal, of said. source, anda stationary mounting-for' l said tubes comprising-a housing :having: tube supporting means thereon, saidtubes extending and partly without the same Iallelism'tothe top` wall :thereof :to provide ana'ir space between said tubes which becomes charged` with ozone, said major portionsprojecting-abovelj .the top of; said :housing to permit ready bodiLv cont-act therewith, the exposedl portions'offsaidv housing and supporting ymeans being of insulatl-A ing material, the ends of'said tubes havingsaifd; electrodes therein being Iremote from each other;y

4; An apparatus' of the-'character Vdescribed, comprising ,l a source -of highi voltage alternating current, afstationary gasf lled f sealed 4tube- :of

transparent `non-conducting material having-'aneiectrode therein connected with oneterminalgof.: saidsource.` a 1stationary gas illled sealedtube` of transparent non-conducting imaterial, having said tubes enclosed within and'protectedlby 4 sas lled sealed tubefof f transparent non-conducting material havingpan of said source, a `stationarygas oiled sealed tubi-,goil

end thereof-connected f with. one terminal orsaid source, a1stationaryy ft-hereto mounted within and enclosed by said housing, and having the major portions thereof arranged in ,closely/ adjacent relation to each other on theftop of said housing between said supporting means to provide an air space between said tubes which becomes charged with ozone, said housing having a flreproof lining therein.

5. An apparatus of the character described comprising a box-like housing of insulating material having a plurality of paired openings in the top thereof, a pair of spaced recessed stationary supports of insulating material mounted on and projecting upwardly from said top, said openings lying adjacent said supports but nearer the ends of said housing than said supports, a plurality of adjacent sealed gas lled glass tubes having the major portions thereof extending in parallelism in projecting exposed position in closely spaced `relation .to each other to provide an air space between said tubes which becomes charged with ozone, said portions extending between said supports in spaced relation -to said top and being `mounted in the recesses on said supports, said tubes being arranged in sets, the tubes of one set alternating with the tubes of the other set and Veach .tube having an end thereof extending ythrough one ofsaid openings into said housing,

the said ends of one set of tubes extending `through the'one pair of said openings and the said ends of the other ser, of said tubes extending through the other pair of said openings, and means enclosed entirely within and protected against accidental contact by means of said housing for-electrically charging the gas in the tubes of said sets oppositely.

6. An apparatus of the character -described comprising` a box-like housing of insulating material having a plurality of paired openings in the top thereof, a pair of spa-ced recessed stationary supports ot'insulating material mounted on and projecting upwardly from said top, said openings lying adjacent said supports but nearer the ends of said housing than said stationary supports, a

.plurality of adjacent sealed gas filled glass tubes having the major portions thereof extending between'said supports longitudinally? of said top in spaced relation Athereto and mounted in the recesses on said supports, said tubes being arranged in sets, the tubes of one set alternating with the :tubes of t-he other set to form grid-like discharge means overlying said top to provide air spaces between said tubes which become charged with ozone and projecting above said top in spaced position and each tube having an end thereof extending through one of said openings into said housing, the said ends of one set of tubes extending through the one pair of said openings and the said ends of the other set of said tubes extending through the other pair of said openings, insulating means engaging said tubes to clamp the same to said supports, cushioning means between said tubes, said supports and said insulating means, and means enclosed entirely within and protected against accidental contact by means of said housing for electrically charging `the gas in the tubes of said isets opposi-t-ely.

, 7.. An apparatus of the character described comprising a box-like housing ofinsulating material having a plurality of paired openings in the top thereof, a pair of stationary spaced recessed supports of insulating material mounted upon and projecting above said top, vsaid openings lying adjacent said supports but nearer the ends of said housing than said supports, a plurality of adjacent sealed gas filled glass tubes having parallel lportions thereof extending between land mounted` inv the recesses on said supports in spaced relation to said top'in exposed position, sai-d tubes being arranged-in two sets and'each having a pair of straight portions connected by a curved portion, one of said straight portions terminating in a sealedendexteriorly of said housingV and the other .straight portion terminating in a down turned sealed end extending through one of said openings into said-housing, said straight portions projecting above the -top of said housing to provide a 'grid lying in an eX- posed position abovelthe top of said housing to provide air spaces between said tubes which becomecharged with ozone ,the said ends of 'one set of tubes extending through the one'pair of said openings and the said ends of the other set of said tubes extending through the otherpair of said openings, an-d means enclosed within and protected against accidental contact by ,said housing for electrically charging the gas in the tubes of said sets oppositely.j

8. An apparatus of the lcharacter described comprising a box-like housing of insulating ma.- terial having a plurality of paired openings `in the top thereof, a pair of stationary spaced recessed supports of insulating material mounted upon and projecting above said top, said openings lying adjacent 'said supports butnearerithe ends Y of said housing than said supports, a plurality of adjacent sealed gas filled glass tubes having parallel portions thereof extending between and mounted in the recesses on said supports i in spaced relation .to said 4top in exposed position, said tubes being arranged' in two sets and each having a pair of straight porti connected by a curved portion, one of said s raight portions terminating in' a sea-led end exteriorly of said housing and the other straight portion terminating in` a down turnedsealed end' extending through one of said` openings into said housing, said straight portions'projecting above the .top of said housing to provide a grid lying in anfexposed position above the top of said housing to provide airV spaces between said tubes which vbecome charged with ozone the said ends of one set of tubes extending through the one pair of` said openings and the said ends of the other set of said tubes extending through the other` pair of said openings, an electrode'in the sealedend of each tube within said housing means within said housing, for establishing an opposite electrical potential on the electrodes of said sets comprising a step-up transformer, and connections between said transformer and saidelectrodes, the portions of said tubes provided with said electrodes, said transformer and said connections being all enclosed within and protected against accidental con-tact by means of said housing.`

9. Apparatus of the character'described comprising a box-like housing of insulating material having a plurality of paired openings in the top thereof, a pair of spaced recessedstationary supports of insulating material mounted upon and projecting above said top, said openings lying adjacent said supports bu-t nearer the ends of said housing than said supports, a plurality of stationary adjacent sealed gas lled glass tubes having parallel portions thereof extending between and mounted in the recesses on said supports in spaced relation to said top in exposed position, said tubes being arranged in two sets and each having a pair of straight portions connected by a curved portion, one of said straight portions terminating in a sealed end exteriorly of said housing and the other straight 'portion terminating in a downturned sealed end extending through one of said openings into said housing, the downturned ends of one set of tubes ex- .tending through one pair of said openings and the downturned ends of the other set of said tubes extending through the other pair of said openings, and said curved portions of one set of tubes embracing the exterior sealed ends of the other set of tubes, said sets of tubes being alternatingly arranged in closely spaced intertting relation to form a grid extending substantially parallel to and overlying said top and projecting above the same in an exposed position to provide air spaces between said tubes which become charged with ozone, means within said housing for establishing an opposite electrical potential on the electrodes of said sets comprising a step-up transformer, and connections between said transformer and said electrodes, the portions of said tubes provided with said electrodes, said transformer and said connections being all enclosed within and protected against accidental contact by means of said housing.

10. Apparatus of the character described comprising a box-like housing of insulating material having a plurality of paired openings in the top thereof, a pair of spaced recessed stationary supports of insulating material mounted upon and projecting above said top, said openings lying adjacent said supports but nearer the ends of said housing than said supports, a plurality of stationary adjacent sealed gas filled glass tubes having parallel portions thereof extending be- .tween and mounted in the recesses on saidsupports in spaced rel-ation to said top in exposed position, said tubes being arranged in two sets and each having a pair of straight portions connected by a curved portion, one of said straight portions terminating in a sealed end exteriorly of said housing and the other terminating in a downturned sealed end extending through one of said openings into said housing, the downturned end-s of one set of tubes extending through one pair of said openingsvand the downturned ends of the other set of said tubes extending through the other pair of said openings, the sets of tubes containing gases producing illumination upon being ionized, the tubes of one set producing a reddish illumination and those of the other set a bluish illumination, means within said housing for establishing an opposite electrical potential on the electrodes of said sets comprising a. step-up transformer, said straight portions forming an exposed grid extendstraight portion 11. An apparatus of the character described,

comprising a source of high voltage alternating current, a stationary gas filled sealed tube of transparent non-conducting material having an electrode therein connected with one terminal of said source, a stationary gas lled sealed tubev of transparent non-conducting material having an electrode therein connected with the other terminal of said source, and a mounting for said tubes comprising a wooden'housing having sta- .tionary wooden tube supporting means on the top thereof, Isaid tubes having depending end p0rtions extending through openings in the top of said housing and into the interior thereof, said tubes having the electrical connections leading thereto mounted within and enclosed by said housing and having the major portions thereof arranged in closely adjacent relation on the exterior of said housing in spaced relation to the top thereof to provide an air space between said tubes which becomes charged with ozone and to project said major portions above 'said top in an exposed easily contacted position without interference of said housing with such contact.

12. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a source of high voltage alternating current, a stationary gas lled sealed tube of transparent non-conducting material having an electrode therein connected with one terminal of said source, a. stationary gas filled sealed tube of transparent non-conducting material having an electrode therein connected with the other terminal of said source, and a mounting for said tubes comprising a wooden housing having stationary spaced wooden tube supporting means on the top wall thereof, said tubes having depending endportions extending through said top wall into said housing and having the electrical connections leading to said tubes enclosed therein, said tubes having the major portions thereof arranged in closely adjacent relation on the exterior of said housing along said top Wall but upwardly spaced therefrom so as to lie in an exposed position projected above said top and provide an air space between said tubes which becomes charged withozone, said housing having a detachable bottom wall providing access to the interior of said housing having' feet of cushioning material thereon, and elements for detachably securing said bottom wall in closing position, said elements also securing said feet in position.

JOHN. c. GAGE. 

